Presenter Information

Location

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

Start Date

1-5-2014 1:00 PM

End Date

1-5-2014 2:00 PM

Project Type

Poster

Description

This study will examine passing, a phenomenon that occurs when an individual tries to hide a part of their identity, or takes on a new false identity in order to fit in with a certain social context. Passing might be especially important in a college setting, where students are in a stage of emerging adulthood and exploring new identities. This process can occur with all sorts of identity, commonly one that makes the individual a minority.In our study, we will focus specifically on passing in the areas of race and socioeconomic status, which has, thus far, not been addressed by past research.We will examine the phenomenon of passing as it relates to self- transcendence, a characteristic involving the ability to see ones life as part of a broad worldview (Garcia-Romeau, 2010). Abraham Maslow describes it as a holistic human consciousness that serves as an ends rather than a means to other human beings, other species, and the universe (1971). Studies have shown that transcendence is linked to an informational identity style, which involves greater autonomy, empathy, openness to experience, and introspectiveness. On the other hand, a lack of self-transcendence has been linked to avoidance, frustration, and conformity to expectations, the latter of which we hypothesize is related to passing (Beaumont, 2009).Given past research, we expect to find that individuals with low transcendence scores will be more likely to attempt to pass in a social situation in which their true identity makes them a minority. These effects should be exacerbated in unfamiliar situations versus those in which participants are among close friends.

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May 1st, 1:00 PMMay 1st, 2:00 PM

Passing and Transcendence in Political Identities and Socioeconomic Status

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

This study will examine passing, a phenomenon that occurs when an individual tries to hide a part of their identity, or takes on a new false identity in order to fit in with a certain social context. Passing might be especially important in a college setting, where students are in a stage of emerging adulthood and exploring new identities. This process can occur with all sorts of identity, commonly one that makes the individual a minority.In our study, we will focus specifically on passing in the areas of race and socioeconomic status, which has, thus far, not been addressed by past research.We will examine the phenomenon of passing as it relates to self- transcendence, a characteristic involving the ability to see ones life as part of a broad worldview (Garcia-Romeau, 2010). Abraham Maslow describes it as a holistic human consciousness that serves as an ends rather than a means to other human beings, other species, and the universe (1971). Studies have shown that transcendence is linked to an informational identity style, which involves greater autonomy, empathy, openness to experience, and introspectiveness. On the other hand, a lack of self-transcendence has been linked to avoidance, frustration, and conformity to expectations, the latter of which we hypothesize is related to passing (Beaumont, 2009).Given past research, we expect to find that individuals with low transcendence scores will be more likely to attempt to pass in a social situation in which their true identity makes them a minority. These effects should be exacerbated in unfamiliar situations versus those in which participants are among close friends.